Harvard University Affiliate Housing
175 North Harvard Street is a mixed-use institutional project that will transform the property in Allston into a performing arts center and much needed housing for Harvard affiliates. While supporting Harvard’s institutional mission, the project serves to advance an important principle of the university’s planning by activating Barry’s Corner with vibrant uses that will enliven the area, enhance the public realm, support ongoing sustainability efforts, contribute to active streetscapes, add additional housing for Harvard affiliates, and create an exciting new research and performance space.
The Housing component is a 275,000 sf building, being designed to meet Passive House and Living Building Challenge Petal certification.
With 276 units exclusively for Harvard affiliates (graduate students, faculty, staff and their families), amenity space for building residents, 250 sheltered bicycle spaces and 75 automobile parking spaces, the housing component is thoughtfully designed to cater to the diverse needs of Harvard affiliates.
The site includes universal design for accessibility, resiliency features that elevate the ground floor several feet above the existing grade, storm water detention and irrigation, improved streetscapes with street trees, as well as new outdoor gathering spaces, including the residential courtyard between the two buildings designed by Marvel Landscape Architects.
Addressing the challenges of integrating such a significant development into a predominantly low-rise neighborhood, Marvel has taken strategic steps to mitigate community concerns over scale and traffic, while also navigating through issues of poor soil conditions and potential park shadowing.
The project's design, which adheres to an approved master plan specifying a maximum floor area of 280,000 square feet, incorporates distinctive architectural features that enable it to stand out as a 'Harvard building' while transitioning smoothly into its surroundings.
To combat soil instability, Marvel adopted an integrated design approach, elevating the development three feet above the existing grade for enhanced resiliency.
Harvard University Housing Ground Plan
Through early collaboration with the full architectural and engineering team, the project not only surpasses the initial unit count, enhancing revenue projections and securing city approval, but also emphasizes operational efficiency with features like double-height glass enclosures for better community connectivity and optimized energy performance through calculated window-to-wall ratios and triple-glazing.
- Location
- Allston, MA
- Client
- Harvard University
- Typology
- Residential, Schools, Higher Education
- Size
- 275000 SF
- Design Team
- Dennis Vermeulen, Jonathan Marvel
